FIVE "forgotten" workers have won awards totalling more than £10,000 for losing their jobs at a Coventry firm which went into receivership.

The five were not union members and missed out when dozens of former employees - all members of Amicus - were awarded thousands of pounds months ago by Birmingham Employment Tribunal following job losses at GBS Tooling Ltd, in Red Lane, Coventry.

The firm made parts for the motor industry but lost two key contracts and went into receivership in February 2004.

Workers were given protective pay awards because the firm failed to give them, and the trade union, adequate warning about the situation, or to carry out consultations.

At the latest tribunal hearing, solicitor Peter Tracy won protective pay awards for the "missing" five - 70 days pay at an average of just over £250 a week.

The five workers to benefit were Darren Jones, a former toolroom supervisor; Darren Harkin, shopfloor fore-man; accounts assistant Emma Arrol; and Lorraine Kendall, a press operator, all of Coventry; and receptionist Michele Robbins, of Bedworth.

They were warned by tribunal chairman Charles Rostant to expect a possible delay in receiving their money from the Department of Trade and Industry because of legal technicalities.